Abuja – Late Tuesday night, a delegation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. The meeting, which also included the Minister of Labour, the governors of Imo, Edo and Plateau states, was described by NLC President Joe Ajaero as a “consultation”. Ajaero, who led the delegation, said the discussions are still being reviewed and he would not confirm whether the nationwide protest scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, will go ahead.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, echoed the sentiment, stating that the talks were “consultations” and that “clarity on outcomes will emerge in due course”. The Minister of State for Labour, who was also present, said the NLC leaders were “satisfied to meet the President”.
The NLC had earlier vowed to stage a protest to highlight the impact of the country’s worsening security situation on workers and communities. The congress cited incidents such as the killing of a teacher and the kidnapping of children in Kebbi as examples of the insecurity that it says undermines social cohesion, disrupts businesses and threatens public safety. In a statement, the NLC urged all state councils and affiliates to mobilise fully in preparation for the demonstration.
The meeting comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across Nigeria, with the labour movement warning that continued violence could further destabilise the economy and erode public confidence. No final decision on the protest has been announced, and the NLC said it will communicate further after its leadership completes its review of the talks with the President.
